HISTORY OF SACRED TOOTH RELIC TEMPLE
A UNESCO World Heritage
- When a neighboring kingdom waged war with King Guhasiva of Kalinga to get hold of the Tooth relic, for its safety, the tooth relic was taken out of India and sent to Sri Lanka with his daughter Princess Hemmali.
- At that time, Buddhism was already well established in Sri Lanka, and the island’s rulers maintained close relations with the Indian states that fostered Buddhism.
- The relic was hidden in her hair as she fled from Hindu armies who were besieging her father’s kingdom in India.
- It was placed on a gold lotus flower and enshrined inside a nested jeweled casket fronted by two large elephant tusks.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic gateway with arched doorway
Sacred Tooth Relics of Lord Buddha
Princess Hemamala and Prince Danta bringing the Sacred Tooth Relic to Sri Lanka
PERAHARA DATES
Dalada perahara famously known as the Kandy Esala Perahara held in month of Esala (July) annually is among them.
- It is considered as the epitome of country’s Buddhist celebrations and is blessed with divinity.
- According to Maha Parinibbana sutta of deegha chapter, among few other sacred relics, the four sacred tooth relics remained intact following Mahaparinirvana.
Visit Sri Dalada Museum
The two upper storeys of this building have been recently organized into a museum exhibiting almost all the donated to the Dalada Maligawa over the centuries. It includes an archival section of rare Ola manuscripts, topographical models, and Royal apparel, life size models of Vikrama Rajasinghe and his queen, busts of past Diyawadana Nilames, diverse antiques and ornaments ritual objects, etc.
- The museum has a valuable collection of ancient artifacts, jewelry, and documents related to the worship of sacred tooth relic and the incumbents and custodians of the temple.
Architecture
The Temple of the Tooth Relic is designed in the Kandyan architectural style. Once inside, you will notice the stunning artwork and complex carvings in wood, gold, silver, ivory, and bronze.
- The entire temple complex is built using classical Kandyan architecture. The main shrine has two floors.
- There are different chambers on every floor including the one where the tooth relic is kept known as ‘handun kunama’ (inner sanctum).
- The tooth is housed in a dedicated temple held in a golden stupa inside the two-story shrine fronted by two large elephant tusks.
- The relic rests on a solid gold lotus flower, encased in jeweled caskets that sit on the throne.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
Dalada perahara famously known as the Kandy Esala Perahara held in month of Esala (July) annually is among them.
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Dress code
Skimpy clothing, shorts, mini-skirts, see-through clothing, and sleeveless dresses are not allowed inside the temple. For both men and women, it is mandatory that the legs have to be covered.
Taking photographs
- while taking pictures, make sure the flashlight is turned off. Commercial filming and photography need permission from the state authorities. Maintain silence
- therefore, stay calm and enjoy the serenity and blissful experience. Don’t touch painting and statues
- Buddhist paintings are beautiful and thus they may urge one to touch them. No smoking and drinking
- You are not allowed to smoke in Buddhist temples. Also, never consume alcohol and enter a temple, or carry bottles of wine or liquor. Don’t shake hands with monks
- Devotees are required to treat the monks with respect and maintain a graceful distance
CONTACT
Get in Touch Sri Dalada Maligawa
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you within a hour!
Phone: +94 812234226
Email: info@sridaladamaligawa.lk